Financial Aid Basics

The primary function of financial aid is to provide assistance to students who may otherwise not be able to afford to attend college.

Financial aid can help with the difference between the cost of attendance budget and the expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Department of Education. This is the unmet portion of a student's budget.

Students share the responsibility for paying for college expenses by contributing savings, earnings, or borrowing against future earnings in the form of loans.